Shonen Manga Creators Who Love Trolling Their Fans
Explore the world of shonen manga and discover the creators who enjoy trolling their fanbase through unexpected plot twists, breaking the fourth wall, and teasing their readers with misleading hints.
Gege Akutami: The Master Troll of ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’
Gege Akutami, the creator of ‘Jujutsu Kaisen,’ has gained a reputation as the biggest troll in the shonen manga world. Despite introducing a main trio of characters, the story rarely focuses on them, leaving fans questioning whether Yuji Itadori is truly the protagonist. Even popular characters like Nobara and Megumi are often sidelined or taken out of the equation. And just when fans thought Satoru Gojo would take center stage, he was unexpectedly killed off in a rather obnoxious manner. The trolling never seems to end in ‘Jujutsu Kaisen.’
( Credit to: Sportskeeda )
Tite Kubo: The Espada Ranking Twist in ‘Bleach’
Tite Kubo, the creator of ‘Bleach,’ is notorious for his trolling antics. One memorable instance was when he revealed the rankings of the Espada, the main antagonists in the series. Fans and characters believed that the Espada were numbered 1-10, with 1 being the strongest. However, Kubo threw a curveball by introducing Arrancar Yammy Riyalgo as Espada #0, indicating that the Espada were actually numbered 0-9. This unexpected twist left fans in awe and solidified Kubo’s reputation as a troll.
( Credit to: Sportskeeda )
Hideaki Sorachi: Breaking the Fourth Wall in ‘Gintama’
Hideaki Sorachi, the manga creator of ‘Gintama,’ takes trolling to another level by breaking the fourth wall and referencing characters and elements from other manga. The anime adaptation of ‘Gintama’ also plays with the concept of filler episodes and even recreates its opening theme sequence within the show. However, one arc that particularly irked fans was the Renho Arc. After a five-episode storyline that seemed to indicate the departure of the character Elizabeth, it was revealed that only Temp had left while the real Elizabeth had just returned from a vacation. This unexpected turn of events led to poor ratings for the arc.
( Credit to: Sportskeeda )
Yoshihiro Togashi: Hiatuses and Plot Twists in ‘Hunter x Hunter’
Yoshihiro Togashi, the creator of ‘Hunter x Hunter,’ has gained a reputation as a troll for various reasons. Firstly, his frequent and lengthy hiatuses have frustrated fans who eagerly await the continuation of the series. While health issues have contributed to these delays, fans still perceive Togashi as a troll for not delivering on his promise to produce numerous volumes. Additionally, Togashi has trolled fans through the manga’s plot itself. For example, during the highly anticipated fight between Hisoka Morow and Chrollo Lucilfer, the battle was abruptly canceled due to Kurapika’s interference, leaving fans disappointed.
( Credit to: Sportskeeda )
Tatsuki Fujimoto: Repetition and Obnoxious Characters in ‘Chainsaw Man’
Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of ‘Chainsaw Man,’ is known for making his trolling evident within the manga. He often reuses the same manga panels multiple times, drawing attention to the repetition. Furthermore, Fujimoto has a penchant for voting for obnoxious characters in popularity polls, and fans have followed suit, helping Kobeni’s car secure seventh place in a poll. In one instance, Fujimoto released a chapter with only 10 pages and another chapter where Fumiko sang a song while Denji fought his enemies, further playing with readers’ expectations.
Eiichiro Oda: Unexpected Twists and Teases in ‘One Piece’
Eiichiro Oda, the creator of ‘One Piece,’ may not be the most obvious troll, but his storytelling is filled with troll elements. In the Orange Town Arc, Nami’s efforts to obtain the prison key to save Luffy were thwarted when a dog simply ate the key, leaving readers astounded. Oda also trolls his fans through his SBS (Question Corner) and author comments, providing obnoxious answers or teasing future events without giving away any substantial hints.
Hiro Mashima: Recurring Characters and Disappointing Reveals in ‘Fairy Tail’
Hiro Mashima, the creator of ‘Fairy Tail,’ ‘Edens Zero,’ and ‘Dead Rock,’ is known for his recurring character designs and similar character dynamics across his manga series. This similarity has led fans to perceive him as a troll, as it often feels like the same characters are being recycled. Mashima has also trolled readers by hyping up a ‘mysterious stranger’ character in ‘Fairy Tail,’ only to reveal that the character was just a clown, disappointing those who expected something extraordinary.
Conclusion: A Love-Hate Relationship with Shonen Manga Trolls
These shonen manga creators have a knack for trolling their readers, whether through unexpected plot developments, breaking established conventions, or teasing fans with misleading hints. Their love for trolling has created a unique dynamic with their fanbase, with readers eagerly anticipating what surprises and trolls they will encounter next.